"We want to honor and celebrate the diversity of our Japanese and Japanese American communities and invite others to learn more about our culture. Japanese and Japanese Americans have been vital to the Bay Area, and this festival is our way of bringing the community together."
"San Francisco's festival is one of the largest of its kind on the West Coast and spans two weekends: April 11-12, 2026 and April 18-19, 2026, each from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 250,000 people are expected to visit Japantown over these four days for cultural performances, arts and crafts vendors, nonprofit food booths and family-friendly activities."
"One major highlight: the return of the Kanda Mikoshi, carried for the first time since the pandemic. The portable shrine was gifted by Kanda Myojin, a historic shrine in Tokyo. Festivalgoers can also expect to see the iconic Taru Mikoshi shrine during the Grand Parade finale."
The 2026 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco runs across two weekends in April, with each day open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival attracts over 250,000 visitors to Japantown for cultural performances, arts and crafts vendors, nonprofit food booths, and family-friendly activities. Organizers are expanding onto Sutter Street to accommodate additional vendors and improve access to cultural institutions. A major highlight is the return of the Kanda Mikoshi, a portable shrine gifted by a historic Tokyo shrine, being carried for the first time since the pandemic. The Grand Parade finale will feature the iconic Taru Mikoshi shrine. Public transportation, walking, biking, or rideshare services are recommended due to limited parking. The festival celebrates Japanese and Japanese American communities and their contributions to the Bay Area.
#cherry-blossom-festival #san-francisco-japantown #cultural-celebration #spring-events #japanese-american-community
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